Display enclosure
A low profile display enclosure system for enclosing a display device for viewing that protects the display device from environmental effects and is configured to dissipate heat generated within the display enclosure. The substantially sealed display enclosure comprises a rigid bezel, a substantially transparent front cover coupled to the bezel, and a rear cover assembly that includes a heat sink portion. The thickness of the bezel is minimized to provide the enclosure with a low profile about the periphery of the display device enclosed therein. Thermal control devices may be mounted within the enclosure to modulate a temperature within the enclosure.
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The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/719,185, filed Mar. 8, 2010. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to structures for enclosing display devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to enclosures for protecting flat-panel display devices from ambient conditions encountered in a viewing location.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention that is recited in the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
In recent years, flat panel televisions have become enormously popular in both commercial and residential sectors. As the prices for plasma and liquid crystal display (LCD) flat panel displays have continued to fall, and the quality for the same devices have improved, more and more businesses and individuals have purchased such devices for both home and business purposes.
The advantages of flat panel displays has also led to expanded application and placement of display devices, including locating display devices in new and challenging and environments. For example, display devices might be located outdoors in various residential and commercial settings for entertainment or marketing purposes, potentially exposing the display device to damaging rain, snow, debris, and other elements. Display devices might also be located in indoor environments such as restrooms, kitchens, and industrial settings for various entertainment, marketing, and informational purposes. As with outdoor applications, liquids and other potential contaminants may be near or come into contact with the mounted display device, potentially damaging or degrading the performance of the display device. It is desirable to protect the display device, which is often quite expensive, from exposure to environmental and other potential contaminants. Accordingly, various, sometimes bulky, environmental enclosures have been developed that are intended to protect a display device from the elements and other containments to permit locating such displays outdoors and in other potentially inhospitable environments.
SUMMARYVarious embodiments of the present invention comprise enclosed display device systems and enclosure systems for display devices such as a LCD, LED or plasma flat panel display devices. These systems may be characterized by a low profile enclosure that supports an enclosed display device for viewing and protects the display device from adverse ambient conditions that may be encountered in a viewing location. For example, various the enclosure systems are substantially sealed and weatherproof, preventing ingress of liquids such as precipitation that may occur at an outdoor viewing location.
The enclosure systems according to various embodiments also provide thermal protection for the enclosed display device. Modern flat panel display devices typically generate heat while in use. The heat load generated can be substantial under various circumstances. Consequently, the temperature within a sealed weatherproof enclosure can rapidly rise above the thermal operating range of the display device unless mitigated. Thermal conditions within the enclosure may be exasperated by ambient conditions, for example, high ambient temperatures and/or a high solar load on the display enclosure. Additionally, under low ambient temperatures it may be necessary to generate additional heat within the enclosure when the display device is on or off in order to protect the display device and/or maintain sufficient operating temperature within the enclosure. Accordingly, the enclosure systems may include active and/or passive thermal control devices to modulate the temperature within the enclosure.
Additionally and according to various embodiments, low profile protective enclosures may extend only minimally beyond the periphery of the display area of the display device. In other words, it is desirable to minimize the thickness of the enclosure about the perimeter of the display device when observed from a viewing angle.
With the above considerations in mind, in one set of embodiments, a protectively enclosed flat panel display device, comprises a protective enclosure substantially impervious to liquid ingress under ambient conditions encountered in an outdoor environment. The protective enclosure comprises a rigid bezel that defines a periphery of the protective enclosure; the rigid bezel is characterized by a front bezel surface having a first opening and a second opening substantially opposite the first opening. A substantially transparent front cover is coupled to the front bezel surface and covers the first opening. A rear cover assembly is coupled to the bezel and covers the second opening. At least a portion of the rear cover assembly comprises a heat sink portion and the rear cover assembly also includes a cable entry. A flat panel display device is disposed within the enclosure such that the display area of the display device is substantially aligned with the first opening. A heat pipe assembly includes a first attachment portion coupled to the display device and a second attachment portion coupled to the rear cover assembly. A thermal control unit is disposed within the enclosure and is electrically coupled to a power source; the thermal control unit includes a temperature sensor. At least one thermal control device is disposed at least partially within the enclosure and electrically coupled to the thermal control unit, the at least one thermal control device is controllable by the thermal control unit to modulate an internal temperature within the enclosure.
In another set of embodiments, a display enclosure for enclosing a flat panel display device for viewing in an outdoor environment comprises a rigid bezel characterized by a perimeter surface defining an enclosure area. The rigid bezel comprises a perimeter surface having a rear edge and a front edge. A rear surface extends inwardly from the rear edge and defines a rear opening. A front surface extends inwardly from the front edge and defines a display opening. The display opening is characterized by an area at least about 85 percent of the enclosure area in one particular embodiment. A substantially transparent front cover is coupled to the front surface and covers the display opening. A rear cover assembly is coupled to the rear surface and covers the rear opening. At least a portion of the rear cover assembly comprises a heat sink portion configured to dissipate heat generated within the display enclosure to the environment. The rigid bezel, front cover and rear cover substantially define the display enclosure configured to receive the flat panel display device therein. The display enclosure is resistant to liquid ingress in an outdoor viewing environment.
In yet another set of embodiments, an enclosed display device, comprises a substantially sealed protective enclosure configured for outdoor use. The protective enclosure comprises a rigid bezel having a low profile characterized by a display opening and a rear opening. The rigid bezel includes a plurality of lateral surfaces that define an outer peripheral surface of the protective enclosure and includes an inner edge defining the display opening. The inner edge is substantially parallel to the outer peripheral surface and displaced inwardly from the outer peripheral surface by a bezel thickness. A cover is coupled to the rigid bezel and covers the display opening. A rear cover is coupled to the bezel and covers the rear opening includes a heat sink portion. A display device is disposed within the enclosure. The display device includes a display area viewable through the front cover. The bezel thickness is minimized to define a low profile bezel and the substantially sealed protective enclosure is impervious to precipitation.
These and other features of the invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the several drawings described below.
The display enclosure 10 is constructed so that the display device 20 may be located in an outdoor viewing environment or in other environments where the display device 20 requires or may benefit from protection from ambient conditions. Accordingly, the display enclosure 10 is constructed to resist and substantially prevent ingress of various liquids that may be encountered in the viewing location, including precipitation when the display enclosure 10 is mounted for outdoor viewing of the display device 20. In various embodiments, the display enclosure 10 is constructed to prevent ingress of rain, snow and splashing liquid. In a particular embodiment, the display enclosure 10 is constructed to prevent ingress of liquid at a submersed depth of up to five feet of water, which may correspond to a modified rating of the IP68 standard (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).
As described in detail below, the display enclosure 10 may be provided with features that enable or enhance performance and operation under various ambient conditions, while protecting the display device 20 from adverse conditions such as liquids that may come into contact with the display enclosure 10. The bezel 100, for example, may be constructed to provide the display enclosure 10 with a narrow periphery, or low a profile, that closely surrounds the display opening 111 through which the display area of the display device 20 is visible. Thus, the outer periphery of the bezel 100 defines an area and the display opening 111 defines a display opening area. In this configuration, the distance between an inner edge of the bezel 100 and the periphery of the bezel 100, the bezel thickness, is minimized. In a particular embodiment, the bezel thickness is less than about 50 mm, and in a further embodiment, the bezel thickness is less than about 25 mm. In further embodiments, the bezel thickness may fall between about 25 mm and about 50 mm.
The low profile of the bezel 100 permits the display area of the display device 20 to closely approach the periphery of the bezel 100. For example, the display opening area is maximized relative to the enclosure area. In a particular embodiment, the display opening area is at least about 85 percent of the enclosure area, and in another embodiment, the display area opening is at least about 92 percent of the enclosure area. In further embodiments, the display area opening may fall between about 85 percent and about 92 percent of the enclosure area. The above described configurations offer a clean, low profile look where the edge of the display area of the display device 20 is in proximity of the periphery of the display enclosure 10. These configurations permit, for example, a plurality of enclosures 10, each with a display device 20, to be arranged in a video wall such that the respective display devices 20 are in close proximity to one another, thereby enhancing the presentation of the image or images displayed on the display devices 20.
The display enclosure 10 may also include thermal modulation features. Such thermal modulation features may be active and/or passive and provide temperature control within the display enclosure 10 to assist in maintaining an internal temperature within the display enclosure 10 that is within an operating range of the display device 20. Still further, the display enclosure 10 may include various additional features that, for example, sense ambient light conditions and communicate with the display device 20 to adjust the brightness of the display to enhance viewability of the display device 20 under various light conditions.
As shown in
As depicted in
With reference to
The bezel 100 is constructed such that the thickness of the bezel, i.e., the normal distance between the inner edge 107 and the peripheral surface 108, the portion visible when viewing the display enclosure 10 from the front, is minimized. That is, the bezel 100 has a low profile surrounding the display opening 111. For example, in a particular embodiment, the distance between inner edge 107 and the outer surface of the display enclosure 10 is less than about 25 mm. In other words, the area of the display opening 111 is maximized relative to the area of the display enclosure 10 defined by the peripheral surface 108. For example, in a particular embodiment, the area of the display opening 111 is at least about 92 percent of the area of the display enclosure 10. The low peripheral profile of the bezel 100 may enhance the overall look of the display enclosure 10, as well as minimizing the space needed in a mounting location for installation of an enclosed display. In multiple screen arrangements, where several displays are positioned horizontally and/or vertically next one another, the low profile of the bezel 100 may provide an enhanced seamless appearance of the displayed image(s) on the multiple display devices 20.
The display opening 111 is covered by the front cover 200. As shown in
As shown in
In various embodiments, the display enclosure 10 is constructed by assembling the plurality of frame members 105 to form the bezel 100. After the bezel 100 is formed, the display device 20 is introduced into the region defined by the bezel 100 through the lower opening 123. With the display device 20 in place within the region defined by the bezel, the lower plate 118 is secured to the bezel 100. By introducing the display device 20 through the lower opening 123 several advantages may be achieved, including a low profile for the bezel 100 and a well sealed enclosure. Because the display device 20 is introduced through the lower opening 123, the dimensions of various portions of the bezel 100 may be increased. For example, the rear surface 122 may be extended towards the interior of the bezel 100 to enhance the structural integrity of the display enclosure 10 with no increase in the profile of the bezel 100 because the display device 20 need not fit through the rear opening defined by the rear surface 122. Additionally, extending the rear surface 122 permits the front portions of the bezel 100, including the front surface 101 and the front cover ledge 109, to have a low profile.
The display enclosure 10 may include internal supports disposed within the display enclosure 10. As depicted in
Various thermal control devices may be disposed within or at least partially within the display enclosure 10, to assist in maintaining the internal temperature of the display enclosure 10. Thermal control may be accomplished by including devices intended to add and/or remove heat from the display enclosure 10 depending on ambient conditions and/or the operating conduction of the display device 20. The various thermal control devices may work independently or in concert to assist in modulating the temperature inside the display enclosure 10 within the operating temperature range and/or storage temperature range of the display device 20 under various ambient conditions. In a particular embodiment, the display enclosure 10 is capable of maintaining the internal temperature inside the enclosure within the operating range of the display device 20 for an ambient temperature range of between about 1° C. and about 60° C. The thermal control devices within the display enclosure 10 may comprise passive and/or active devices.
One of the thermal control devices within the display enclosure 10 may comprise a heat pipe assembly 400. As shown in
The display enclosure 10 may also include an internal fan 410 located within the display enclosure 10 as shown in
With reference to
As noted above and as shown in
In addition to the devices already described, a display controller 520 that controls the display device 20 may be mounted within display enclosure 10. Alternatively, the controller may be integral with the display device 20. As shown in
The display enclosure 10 may also be provided with an ambient light sensor 540. The ambient light sensor 540 senses the light level outside the display enclosure 10 and may be mounted to the bezel 100 or beneath the front cover 200. The ambient light sensor 540 is electrically coupled to the power supply 500 and the display controller 520. The display controller 520 receives input from the ambient light sensor 540 and, based on the input signal, may be configured to adjust the displayed image, for example, the brightness and/or the contrast, generated by the display device 20. For instance, under relatively low ambient light conditions, such as at night when the display enclosure 10 is located outdoors, the display controller 520 may be configured to automatically decrease the brightness of the display device 20 based on the input from the ambient light sensor 540.
The display enclosure 10 may also be equipped with features that enable communication between the display device 20 and a remote control device configured to control and the display device 20. The display enclosure 10 may include a remote control input 550. The remote control input 550 comprises an infrared sensor in a particular embodiment. The remote control input 550 is electrically coupled to the display controller 520 and may be mounted to the bezel 100 or located beneath the front cover 200 to receive input from a separate remote control device configured to control the operation of the display device.
The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described to explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the present invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Claims
1. A protectively enclosed flat panel display device viewable from outside the enclosure, comprising:
- a protective enclosure substantially impervious to liquid ingress under ambient conditions encountered in an outdoor environment, the protective enclosure comprising: a rigid bezel defining a periphery of the protective enclosure, the rigid bezel characterized by a front bezel surface having a first opening, a substantially transparent front cover coupled to the front bezel surface and covering the first opening, and a rear cover assembly coupled to the rigid bezel;
- a flat panel display device disposed within the enclosure such that the display area of the display device is substantially aligned with the first opening;
- a heat pipe assembly having a first attachment portion coupled to the display device, and a second attachment portion coupled to the rear cover assembly; and
- a thermal control device disposed at least partially within the enclosure and configured to modulate an internal temperature within the enclosure.
2. The protectively enclosed flat panel display device of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal control device comprises a heating element.
3. The protectively enclosed flat panel display device of claim 2, wherein the heating element is configured to maintain the internal temperature above a lower threshold temperature of the display device.
4. The protectively enclosed flat panel display device of claim 2, further comprising a thermal control unit configured to modulate the internal temperature between the lower threshold temperature and an upper threshold temperature of the display device.
5. The protectively enclosed flat panel display device of claim 1, further comprising a power supply disposed within the enclosure, the power supply configured to supply electrical power to the display device and the thermal control device.
6. The protectively enclosed flat panel display device of claim 1, wherein the rigid bezel defines a lower opening configured to receive the flat panel display device upon introduction of the flat panel display into the protective enclosure, and wherein the lower opening is sealable by a lower plate selectively attachable to the rigid bezel.
7. The protectively enclosed flat panel display device of claim 1, wherein the rigid bezel further includes a front cover ledge configured to accept a portion of the substantially transparent front cover, and wherein the portion of the substantially transparent front cover is adhered to the rigid bezel, thereby forming a substantially water tight interface between the substantially transparent front cover and the rigid bezel.
8. The protectively enclosed flat panel display device of claim 1, wherein the substantially transparent front cover comprises a glass cover, the glass cover including an anti-reflective treatment to reduce reflection by the glass cover.
9. The protectively enclosed flat panel display device of claim 1, wherein the rigid bezel comprises a low profile bezel characterized by a bezel thickness defined by the normal distance between the periphery and the first opening, and wherein the bezel thickness is less than about 25 mm.
10. A display enclosure for enclosing a flat panel display device for viewing in an outdoor environment, comprising:
- a rigid bezel characterized by a perimeter surface defining an enclosure area, the rigid bezel comprising: a perimeter surface having a rear edge and a front edge; a rear surface extending inwardly from the rear edge; and a front surface extending inwardly from the front edge and defining a display opening, the display opening characterized by an area at least about 85 percent of the enclosure area;
- a substantially transparent front cover disposed over the display opening; and
- a rear cover assembly, at least a portion of the rear cover assembly configured to dissipate heat generated within the display enclosure to the environment,
- wherein the rigid bezel, the front cover and the rear cover substantially define the display enclosure configured to receive the flat panel display device therein.
11. The display mount of claim 10, wherein the display enclosure is resistant to liquid ingress in an outdoor viewing environment.
12. The display mount of claim 11, further comprising:
- a thermal control unit located within the display enclosure, the thermal control unit configured to receive a temperature input from a temperature sensing element responsive to a temperature within the enclosure; and
- a selectively operable thermal control device located within the enclosure and electrically coupled to the thermal control unit.
13. The display enclosure of claim 11, wherein the display opening is at least about 92 percent of the enclosure area.
14. The display enclosure of claim 11, wherein the front cover comprises a substantially transparent cover having a peripheral region extending over a portion of the front surface, thereby providing a substantially water tight interface between the front surface and substantially transparent cover.
15. An enclosed display device, comprising:
- a substantially sealed protective enclosure configured for outdoor use, the protective enclosure comprising: a rigid bezel having a low profile characterized by a display opening and a lower opening, the rigid bezel substantially defining an outer peripheral surface of the protective enclosure and further defining the display opening, a front cover coupled to the rigid bezel and covering the display opening, a rear cover selectively coupled to the rigid bezel, and a lower plate configured to selectively cover the lower opening; and
- a display device disposed within the enclosure, the display device including a display area viewable through the front cover, the display device insertable into the sealed protective enclosure through the lower opening.
16. The enclosed display device of claim 15, wherein the bezel thickness is less than about 50 mm.
17. The enclosed display device of claim 15, further comprising:
- a power supply disposed within the protective enclosure; and
- a display device controller electrically coupled to the power supply and the display device.
18. The enclosed display device of claim 17, further comprising a selectively operable thermal control device disposed within the enclosure, the at least one selectively operable thermal control device configured to modulate an internal temperature within the substantially sealed protective enclosure.
19. The enclosed display device of claim 15, further comprising a heat pipe assembly disposed within the protective enclosure, the heat pipe assembly coupled to the display device and the rear cover.
20. The enclosed display device of claim 15, wherein the rear cover assembly includes a plurality of mount attachment features configured to operatively couple a surface mount to a mounting surface.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 25, 2011
Date of Patent: Jul 3, 2012
Patent Publication Number: 20120039042
Assignee: Ciil Technologies, LLC (Melrose Park, IL)
Inventors: Jerry Moscovitch (Toronto), Luther V. Diaz Yap (Toronto), Raymond Wilk (Toronto)
Primary Examiner: Jennifer Doan
Attorney: Foley & Lardner LLP
Application Number: 13/281,021
International Classification: G02F 1/1333 (20060101);